Ukraine has presented three options to the captured North Koreans. South Korea has recalled the fourth to keep an eye on them

As the days have passed since the capture of the two North Korean soldiers by Ukrainian troops became known, each of the parties has been separating what their strategy was going to be. While Russia or North Korea maintain a silence that says more than it seems, kyiv has not hesitated to air the options presented to Pyongyang’s men. The southern neighbors have recalled a fourth option.

The context of an unpublished capture. We told it a few days ago, in an unexpected turn in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, two North Korean soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces, triggering a debate about their fate from the very moment. Both are part of a contingent estimated at 11,000 North Korean troops deployed in support of Russia, within the framework of a mutual defense agreement between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.

Despite these figures, both Moscow and Pyongyang have avoided officially recognizing the participation of North Korean troops in the war. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed exchanging the prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers detained in Russia. However, it has also left other options open.

Two different destinations. A few days ago we reported that the two soldiers had said during interrogations that they wanted to stay in Ukraine and not return. Over time this version has changed. While one of them maintains his desire to stay in Ukraine, the other has stated that he wants to return to North Korea. The soldiers belong to the so-called General Reconnaissance Bureau, a North Korean military intelligence unit. According to South Korean intelligence reports, its troops have suffered heavy losses in Ukraine, with estimates of 300 dead and 2,700 wounded.

What South Korea says. The South Korean constitution considers all North Koreans to be citizens of the Republic of Korea, legally obligating Seoul to protect captured soldiers if they choose to defect. Since the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), tens of thousands of North Koreans have defected to the south, but this case presents an unprecedented scenario: soldiers captured in a foreign conflict.

The South Korean government, through its Ministry of Unification, has indicated that the fate of the soldiers must be decided in accordance with international law and in consultation with the parties involved. In addition, the National Intelligence Agency (NIS) is willing to facilitate their transfer to South Korea if they request it.

Risk of repatriation to Pyongyang. There is no doubt, the return of soldiers to North Korea presents serious dangers. As? Under Kim Jong-un’s regime, prisoners of war are perceived as traitors and face retaliation such as torture, imprisonment or even execution. Plus: his return would also put the families at risk, who could be punished to ensure their silence.

The three humanitarian options. Thus, from Ukraine soldiers are offered three paths/options to choose from:

• Repatriation to North Korea: Although possible, this option contradicts the humanitarian principles and democratic values ​​that Ukraine defends in its war against Russia.
• Asylum/defection in South Korea: An option that would guarantee the safety of the soldiers and that in turn would allow Seoul to take advantage of their defection as a propaganda blow against the Kim regime. Additionally, the soldiers could provide valuable intelligence on North Korean operations in Ukraine.
• Asylum in Ukraine or a third country: This alternative would reflect Ukraine’s commitment to human rights and give soldiers the opportunity to rebuild their lives away from authoritarianism.

The “fourth” way. According to the South Korean National Intelligence Agency (NIS), these soldiers should be monitored once they are detained. The reason? Reports indicate that North Korean troops sent to Russia have been given strict orders to take their own lives if faced with capture, in an attempt to preserve the regime’s narrative and prevent information leaks.

This idea that South Korea has slipped reaffirms the documents found by Ukrainian intelligence on North Korean soldiers who died on the front, information that indicates that soldiers receive orders to avoid capture at all costs, including committing suicide or detonating explosives.

Implications of an arrest. In essence, an extremely delicate issue in a geopolitical and diplomatic sense. The capture of these soldiers poses challenges for all parties involved.

For Ukraine, his treatment will be proof of its adherence to the principles of freedom and human rights that it espouses. For South Korea, accepting these soldiers could reinforce its posture of reunification and opposition to the North Korean regime. Finally, for Russia and North Korea, unless there is some kind of statement, the situation exposes their alliance secret and the human cost of their cooperation.

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